Ok, I just went to Chicago last week and when we went to restaurants and my question is we only ordered one meal for my wife and I'd just eat one of the appetizers and then something small off her plate. You have to LOVE not buying to meals at expensive restaurants lol. But I digress, my question centers around how much to tip? Technically its 10, 15, or 20% of the bill however since its two people eating off of one meal should I factor in a smaller low cost meal and add extra for a tip? What is hoyle for tipping when you are sharing a meal? Is it fair to tip only on the cost of one plate since its two people that the server is serving???? Honestly I never thought about that before my band but its an interesting question.

20% of the bill, more if the server was extra helpful. I don't see any reason why the rules have to change because you are eating less food.

I agree with Mike70.

I typically tip 20% for good service.

Same here. The only time you take something into consideration is if your meal is discounted. You should tip off the regular price and not the discounted price. But otherwise, 20% of the meal regardless of how many people are eating said meal. I live in New York City and eat out alot. I often eat an appetizer or share a meal..or a few small plates and the tip is figured off the bill only.

That's really a personal question for you to ask yourself. I always tip at least $5.00 even if my meal was only $10.00. So thats what 50% lol. I was raised by a single mom who was a waitress so my heart goes out to servers a little bit more than most.

That's really a personal question for you to ask yourself. I always tip at least $5.00 even if my meal was only $10.00. So thats what 50% lol. I was raised by a single mom who was a waitress so my heart goes out to servers a little bit more than most.

This is actually a really good point.

It's not often my bills are under $30 for my family of 4- but I do similar. If the bill is low I tip considerably more than 20% for good service.

This is particularly true in states like mine where wait staff are only paid like $3/hour. They literally live off tips.

(for the record, I tip hair stylists the same way for the same reason)

I never thought about what to do with a a bill that low....not living in NYC...anyway...LOL!

As a current server, 20% if service is excellent, more if you want but only if you want I never expect it. If I share a meal with my husband or get an appetizer I will usually throw an extra dollar or two in if the server was good. We are only having to claim a percentage of our sales so if you go with 20% of your bill we are still making some money.

Thank you all good answers and thank you JenWis6 I was hoping a current server would respond as well I don't want to jip anyone especially if they are only making the 3 bucks per hour minimum.

I usually share with my husband too but I try to tip as if we each ordered because they served two people...usually about 20% plus a few extra bucks

I will tip $5.00 above what my table mate or mates tip. I usually have no problem ordering a small empty salad plate and eating from another's breakfast or dinner. Then because the wait staff is helpful I wait to see how much others tip and I will tip an additional $5.00.

I have lived off of tips for about 7 years of my life so I'm probably a little biased Lol. BUT, I will too a minimum of $5 or minimum of 20% regardless of bill. But, I do tip more if we are splitting a meal. For great service I will tip even more, again though I have worked on tips a long time so I'm a little biased. I've never known a server to complain about getting 20% though!